Mook Posted June 8, 2007 Report Share Posted June 8, 2007 I've used a load of search options in here and can't find what I'm looking for - common problems with the B6 and B7 S4. What are the main things to look out for in terms of common problems on one of these. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kite Posted June 8, 2007 Report Share Posted June 8, 2007 The Aux. rads seem to be a problem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted June 8, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2007 Cheers, Kite, that was quick! Were these common, warranty issues, or was it only on some cars? Anything else? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kite Posted June 8, 2007 Report Share Posted June 8, 2007 Check the A4 forum, I think most were done on warranty, some twice I believe. S4 owners will be able to tell you more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TDiAvant Posted June 8, 2007 Report Share Posted June 8, 2007 This was a problem on the B6, the B7 appears to be OK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssFour Posted June 8, 2007 Report Share Posted June 8, 2007 Corroded aux rads are a problem on B6's and it is the luck of the draw as to whether or not they go. I have not been effected to date. It was supposed to be a design fault, which "should" have been rectified for the B7 but I think some B7 owners on here have also had theirs changed. Another common niggle is a timing chain rattle or whine on startup on cold start up. A SB was published for the belt tensioner, only in the US, and some owners have had theirs fixed under warranty by shoving it under the dealers nose. Others have not been as successful. Mine occasionally rattles on start up but I have done nothing about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rottenbend Posted June 8, 2007 Report Share Posted June 8, 2007 Yeah the auxiliary oil rads on the B6 seems to be the most common fault. Seems like they corrode/and or get holed by stones. Most of the S4 owners on here have experienced this problem mostly inside warranty. Altough it seems Audi is reluctant to contribute outside warranty despite this being a very common problem indeeed. I've had both my rads replaced under warranty. The other issue is a start up noise. There seems to be to types: a rattle and a whine. The whine is almost certainly to do with the chain tensioners whilst the rattle may (or may not be that). Although it must be said that I know of no instances where this has led to any kind of failure on the car... If you're being second hand or advising someone make sure you/they buy a car with replaced aux rads... Or have them checked over. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P_G Posted June 8, 2007 Report Share Posted June 8, 2007 The only problems I have had with my S4 are the auxiliary radiators, one of which was replaced under warranty and the other is still in tact. Stones may puncture then but most common reason is errosion so make sure that when you are using a jet wash to clean them thoroughly and they shoud be OK. The other is a cold engine rattle which is the tensioner belts not up to temperature but will only happen when you first turn the engine pver in the morning. It can sometimes lead to a running engine whine at 1500rpm which is the tensioner belt hydraulic fluid not being warm, but it disapates. Some have had it checked and their tensioner belts changed, I haven't had need to. Otherwise bombproof. The only other expense is using a litre of oil every 5000 or so miles, not too bad considering it carries 9 litres in the first instance and the AVS oil is thinner than water. Best car I have owned to date and not as thirsty as people profess them to be (averaging just over 23 mpg) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssFour Posted June 8, 2007 Report Share Posted June 8, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Best car I have owned to date and not as thirsty as people profess them to be (averaging just over 23 mpg) [/ QUOTE ] I second that. Bought mine back to the Varterland last week via Frankfurt, 1300km journey, and I averaged 23mpg. This was achieved with mixture of bahn blasts and mway pootling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J_C Posted June 8, 2007 Report Share Posted June 8, 2007 Yep, I entered mine in a Concours event last weekend but it was a drive of nearly seventy miles to get there. Driving it very gently and rarely exceeding 60mph it achieved 29.8mpg (DIS value). Different story coming back though! As for the aforementioned problems, I've had both aux rads replaced and the startup whine rectified - all under warranty. I haven't experienced the startup 'rattle'. I wouldn't let these potential issues put you off considering what is an amazing car - they are pretty much bulletproof otherwise. Mine's had a new steering angle sensor and lumbar motor replaced under warranty too but obviously these aren't necessarily S4 specific problems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted June 8, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 8, 2007 I'm totally sold on the S4 Avant, John - one appearing on the drive sometime soon. I just need to make sure I know what to check for. Not sure about the modifications to driving style to achieve 29.8 mpg though Cheers for all your feedback so far Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlot Posted June 8, 2007 Report Share Posted June 8, 2007 I've seen 32 mpg over a 20 mile run. Mind you I've seen half that a lot more often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rottenbend Posted June 8, 2007 Report Share Posted June 8, 2007 Has anyone actually heard of a major mechanical failure on an S4 (engine/gearbox?). I haven't... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rottenbend Posted June 8, 2007 Report Share Posted June 8, 2007 [ QUOTE ] I'm totally sold on the S4 Avant [/ QUOTE ] Great choice. I think they offer very very good value at the moment. And the V8 does make them a little special... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spikeyboy Posted June 8, 2007 Report Share Posted June 8, 2007 Great cars. As has already been said best car i have ever owned including previous lower specced Audi's and Scoobies. Had both my rad changed - one under warranty the other stone damage. Not had any problems with the start up whine or rattle. Only other problems i have had is a new wheel bearing under warranty - but this could happen to any car. S4's do like to chew through the out side edges of tyres though. One other thing i would check if buying second had is that it has had the front discs and pads replaced - most people seem to need these done at the second AVS (30,000 to 40,000 mile mark). Dont need to worry about cam belts as it chain driven Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danksy Posted June 9, 2007 Report Share Posted June 9, 2007 [ QUOTE ] I've seen 32 mpg over a 20 mile run. Mind you I've seen half that a lot more often. [/ QUOTE ] Surely not That's the stuff of myth and legend It must vary from car to car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rottenbend Posted June 9, 2007 Report Share Posted June 9, 2007 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I've seen 32 mpg over a 20 mile run. Mind you I've seen half that a lot more often. [/ QUOTE ] Surely not That's the stuff of myth and legend It must vary from car to car [/ QUOTE ] I must admit I really struggle to get over 27MPG even on long journeys. My DIS 2 reads between 18.7 and 19.2 and has done for the last year. Don't know if that would improve if I had a full Milltek system. Is the Tiptronic more economical because of its higher gearing? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waylander Posted June 9, 2007 Report Share Posted June 9, 2007 Rear bulbs blowing regularly [a known problem on the B6] and the auto-window down switch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tizzy Posted June 9, 2007 Report Share Posted June 9, 2007 Yeah they do eat rear brake light bulbs and also front sidelight bulbs - which are tricky to replace - you have to remove the whole headlight unit - (ably demonstrated to me by Ben (Shark_90) a couple of months ago). Certainly check that the aux rad's have been done and Andrew (Rottenbend's) comments on fuel consumption above are about spot on - my DIS2 got to 20mpg towards the end of my time with the car - due to some longer journeys. But around town and short start/stop stuff it will mainly be under 20! The start-up rattle seems to vary between cars - my 2003 car never ever exhibited this problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssFour Posted June 9, 2007 Report Share Posted June 9, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Andrew (Rottenbend's) comments on fuel consumption above are about spot on - my DIS2 got to 20mpg towards the end of my time with the car [/ QUOTE ] Spot on when compared to your ownership. Fuel consumption is purely dependant on driving style. 18months down the road and my total comsumption average is just below 23mpg. To be honest if fuel and running costs are a biggy then any potential owner should go and buy a soot chucker. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
P_G Posted June 9, 2007 Report Share Posted June 9, 2007 [ QUOTE ] Yeah they do eat rear brake light bulbs and also front sidelight bulbs - which are tricky to replace - you have to remove the whole headlight unit - (ably demonstrated to me by Ben (Shark_90) a couple of months ago). Certainly check that the aux rad's have been done and Andrew (Rottenbend's) comments on fuel consumption above are about spot on - my DIS2 got to 20mpg towards the end of my time with the car - due to some longer journeys. But around town and short start/stop stuff it will mainly be under 20! The start-up rattle seems to vary between cars - my 2003 car never ever exhibited this problem. [/ QUOTE ] INteresting comments on bulbs and I write this touching wood as I do I have only had one rear bulb go on me in the 31 months I've had the S4. Tip's are supposedly more economical than manuals, but a change in exhaust and remap does make it more fuel efficient. Like said elsewheere I managed a trip to Brum and back from Newcastle on a tank + £5 this week, a round trip of just over 400 miles. DIS2 average for me is 23mpg (23.9 on DIS 2 but I always take off 1 mpg as I think it is a little ambitious) and thos who know me know I don't pootle around like RJGreen did in his S4 cab and have a decent mixture of work commute, long mototrway journeys and spirited weekend driving. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J_C Posted June 9, 2007 Report Share Posted June 9, 2007 [ QUOTE ] INteresting comments on bulbs and I write this touching wood as I do I have only had one rear bulb go on me in the 31 months I've had the S4. [/ QUOTE ] That's one more than I've had go! Only had the car just under half that time though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlot Posted June 9, 2007 Report Share Posted June 9, 2007 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] I've seen 32 mpg over a 20 mile run. Mind you I've seen half that a lot more often. [/ QUOTE ] Surely not That's the stuff of myth and legend It must vary from car to car [/ QUOTE ] Don't worry dansky, that was the Avant not your Cab. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mook Posted June 11, 2007 Author Report Share Posted June 11, 2007 [ QUOTE ] One other thing i would check if buying second had is that it has had the front discs and pads replaced - most people seem to need these done at the second AVS (30,000 to 40,000 mile mark). [/ QUOTE ] What's the damage for front disks and pads from Audi? Are there decent after-market OEM replacements or is it worth going for the B7 RS4 brake upgrade? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spikeyboy Posted June 11, 2007 Report Share Posted June 11, 2007 Audi stealer will charge around the £490 mark for the fronts. But i would recommend buying the parts from Nelson at Audi Accessories (Circa £250), then if your in the right area get Dean from 4rings to fit - total cost comes in around £300 There are after-market OEM replacement discs available but personally i wouldnt touch them. RS4 fronts will set you back around £1,500 - rears dont fit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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